Recommendation BRIS-79: GMC's 'Good Medical Practice' to inform medical school selection and curricula
From Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report, published 18 July 2001.
Recommendation
The attributes of a good doctor, as set down in the GMC’s ‘Good Medical Practice’, must inform every aspect of the selection criteria and curricula of medical schools.
Government response
No government response to this recommendation is on the record yet.
Delivery
DHSC and NHS England say in progress (27 February 2026)
Please see Recommendation 46 (Professional standards)
The ‘Good Medical Practice’ sets the standards of care and behaviour expected of all medical professionals. The latest guidance came into effect 30 Jan 2024. Entry and selection requirements for universities includes a personal statement and other tests to assess suitability.
Site note: DHSC and NHS England's own account of progress, supplied to the Thirlwall Inquiry in September 2024 and printed in the Inquiry legal team's Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). It is not a finding of the Inquiry. Their reviewed extent of implementation reads “Implemented – Ongoing”. Table row: section 6.2 No. 79, PDF page 107.
What other bodies have found
In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.
Thirlwall Inquiry legal team (27 February 2026)
The Government agreed with this recommendation.
In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health referred to planned improvements in selection criteria and medical schools’ curricula to help ensure doctors developed the necessary skills and attributed.
Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). The review does not colour its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green; it leaves the cell uncoloured where a recommendation was rejected, where evidence of implementation was insufficient, or where steps had been taken but implementation was not yet complete. Table row: section 6.2 No. 79, PDF page 107.
Earlier findings (1)
Thirlwall Inquiry legal team (15 May 2024)
The Government agreed with this recommendation.
In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health referred to planned improvements in selection criteria and medical schools’ curricula to help ensure doctors developed the necessary skills and attributes.
Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024). The review does not colour its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green; it leaves the cell uncoloured where a recommendation was rejected, where evidence of implementation was insufficient, or where steps had been taken but implementation was not yet complete. Table row: section 6.2 No. 79, PDF page 98.
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- DHSC and NHS England
Delivery statement - Thirlwall Inquiry legal team
Finding